Sober & Lit Podcast

How do you handle a holiday centered on gratitude… when everyone around you is sipping wine?

In this powerful Thanksgiving episode of the Sober & Lit Podcast, your hosts Ruby and Susan crack open the truth about navigating one of the most triggering holidays on the alcohol-free journey. Is it your first sober Thanksgiving? Or maybe you're feeling the tug of tradition, social pressure, or the emotional weight of family dynamics? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to white-knuckle it.

Together, we explore real stories and raw moments—like Ruby’s decision to pass the hosting torch and BYO-AF drinks, and Susan’s powerful mindset shifts after early AA meetings. We share our favorite go-to mocktail rituals, confidence-building scripts for when someone asks “Why aren’t you drinking?”, and grounding strategies to keep you feeling safe, strong, and seen at the holiday table.

What would it feel like to actually enjoy Thanksgiving—present, peaceful, and proud of your choice? Tune in for inspiration, practical tools, and cozy encouragement to help you celebrate with clarity, connection, and joy (yes, even if your uncle is pouring pinot at 2pm).

You’re invited to walk into this holiday with your head high and your heart full. Let’s make gratitude the main course—not the wine.

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Recipes

🍏 Coach Susan's Mocktail: equal parts apple cider and a sparkling AF wine, garnish with an apple slice and or cinnamon stick.

🍎 Coach Ruby's Fruit Salad: 3 pomegranates (seeds only), 8 Fuyu persimmons (remove skin and slice), and 2 limes (juiced) - combine in a bowl and refrigerate. Best if made a couple of hours before the party and it’s delicious as leftovers (over yogurt or ice cream). 

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We Love Hearing From You

Take the "Worried About Your Drinking" quiz:
https://coachingwithruby.com/quiz

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Host:
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching
Website: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/
Email Ruby: [email protected]
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
🧡 I invite you to book a clarity call with me and let's chat: https://calendly.com/williams-ruby/discovery-call

Looking for Susan's new podcast?
Drink Less With Susan Podcast: https://drinklesswithsusan.buzzsprout.com/

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological adv...

What if the best parts of you were just waiting on the other side of your last drink?

In this episode of Sober & Lit, your hosts Susan and Ruby—alcohol freedom coaches with two very different journeys—reveal the surprising, unfiltered reasons why they chose to ditch alcohol for good. From Ruby’s past life in the wine industry to Susan’s search for deeper spiritual connection, this isn’t just another “why I quit drinking” story—it’s a powerful reframe of what you gain when you go alcohol-free.

What if giving up drinking didn’t mean missing out—but waking up?

Join us as we unpack the mental, emotional, and physical shifts we never expected: clearer mornings, real confidence, deep joy, and the sparkle we thought alcohol was supposed to give us (but never quite did). You’ll hear personal truths, real-talk about old habits, and inspiration to build your own “why” for an alcohol-free life.

Whether you're just beginning to question your drinking or fully in the sober curious lane, this episode will remind you what’s possible when you choose to feel lit—no booze required.

We Love Hearing From You

Take the "Worried About Your Drinking" quiz:
https://coachingwithruby.com/quiz

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Host:
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching
Website: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/
Email Ruby: [email protected]
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
🧡 I invite you to book a clarity call with me and let's chat: https://calendly.com/williams-ruby/discovery-call

Looking for Susan's new podcast?
Drink Less With Susan Podcast: https://drinklesswithsusan.buzzsprout.com/

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological adv...

Ever wonder what happens when you stop running from your truth—and start creating something powerful with it?

In this episode of Sober & Lit, your hosts Coach Susan and Coach Ruby sit down with Tamar Routly—podcast producer, recovery advocate, and co-author of Sober for Dummies—for a candid and deeply inspiring conversation about what it really takes to go from high-functioning drinking to full-blown transformation.

Tamar shares how she went from secretly struggling in a corporate career to building a bold, purpose-driven life in long-term sobriety. From the raw moments of early recovery to reclaiming creativity, confidence, and connection, she walks us through the turning points that changed everything.

✨ What if the thing you thought was holding you together... was actually holding you back?
✨ What becomes possible when you stop numbing and start listening?

This episode is for anyone craving real talk, fresh perspective, and the courage to rewrite your story—on your terms. Tune in to hear how Tamar uses her voice to amplify recovery, spark hope, and help others feel lit in their alcohol-free journey.

________

Guest Resources for Tamar Routly:
http://www.podcastimpactstudio.com
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/youre-sober-now-what/id1766001157
https://youresobernowwhat.com/

We Love Hearing From You

Take the "Worried About Your Drinking" quiz:
https://coachingwithruby.com/quiz

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Host:
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching
Website: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/
Email Ruby: [email protected]
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
🧡 I invite you to book a clarity call with me and let's chat: https://calendly.com/williams-ruby/discovery-call

Looking for Susan's new podcast?
Drink Less With Susan Podcast: https://drinklesswithsusan.buzzsprout.com/

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological adv...

Ever lost time after a night out and thought, “Wait… what did I say?”

You’re not alone—and it’s not just “part of drinking.” In this episode of Sober & Lit, Ruby and Susan pull back the curtain on a topic many avoid: alcohol-induced blackouts. From stories of forgotten conversations and tricky gray areas to the terrifying reality of memory loss after just a few drinks, we shed light on the neurological impact of alcohol and why some people are more susceptible to blackouts than others.

✨ What actually happens in your brain when memories disappear?
✨ Why do some people black out from just a few drinks—while others don't?
✨ And what are the long-term risks no one talks about?

This isn't about shame—it's about science. We share our personal blackout, brownout and pass-out stories, explore the brain-based reasons behind them, and debunk the myth that forgetting your night means you just had “too much fun.” 

Whether you’ve experienced fuzzy nights, want to understand how alcohol hijacks memory, or you’re sober curious and ready to learn, this episode is for you. Stay with us 'til the end—we’ll leave you with ways to feel lit  without wiping out your memories.

Tune in now and get real about alcohol, blackouts, and reclaiming your presence.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
👉 The most important lesson from 83,000 brain scans | Daniel Amen | TEDxOrangeCoast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esPRsT-lmw8
👉 Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget is a memoir by Sarah Hepola
👉 Movie: The Girl On The Train starring Emily Blunt; based on the bestselling novel The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (2015) 

We Love Hearing From You

Take the "Worried About Your Drinking" quiz:
https://coachingwithruby.com/quiz

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Host:
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching
Website: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/
Email Ruby: [email protected]
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
🧡 I invite you to book a clarity call with me and let's chat: https://calendly.com/williams-ruby/discovery-call

Looking for Susan's new podcast?
Drink Less With Susan Podcast: https://drinklesswithsusan.buzzsprout.com/

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological adv...

What if giving up alcohol wasn’t the end of fun—but the beginning of a rebellion?

In this facinating episode of Sober & Lit, Susan and Ruby sit down with the vibrant and unfiltered Abby Calabrese—creator of the Alcohol Free Rebellion podcast and Instagram community.

From late nights in New York’s “work hard, play hard” scene to building an empowered, sober-curious life, Abby shares the real story behind her decision to ditch drinking—and what happened next. Think: awkward social events, the surprising role of THC mocktails, and the messy, magical freedom of her first 100 days alcohol free.

✨ Is it possible to feel "lit" without alcohol?
✨ Can controversial tools support your sober journey?
✨ What does it look like to dance through discomfort instead of drink through it?

We go there. And then some.

Expect bold honesty, pop culture references, practical tools—and plenty of laughs—as we explore what it really means to redefine fun, reclaim your energy, and rewire your joy without numbing out.

If you're sober curious, stuck in the “just on weekends” trap, or wondering if life without alcohol could actually be… better—this episode is your sign to press play.
________

Here's how to reach Abby:
Website: www.abbycalabrese.com
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1qNUSaFZnmMEm0NNImFgQp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alcoholfreeabby/ 

We Love Hearing From You

Take the "Worried About Your Drinking" quiz:
https://coachingwithruby.com/quiz

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Host:
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching
Website: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/
Email Ruby: [email protected]
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
🧡 I invite you to book a clarity call with me and let's chat: https://calendly.com/williams-ruby/discovery-call

Looking for Susan's new podcast?
Drink Less With Susan Podcast: https://drinklesswithsusan.buzzsprout.com/

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological adv...

“Is weekend drinking really harmless—or is it quietly stealing your energy, health, and joy?”

In this episode of the Sober & Lit Podcast, Ruby and Susan dive straight into the truth about binge drinking, especially the kind so many of us laugh off as “just weekend fun.” What actually counts as binge drinking? Why do oversized wine glasses, happy hour specials, and “work hard, play hard” culture trick us into thinking it’s normal? And what are the real costs—even if you only drink on Fridays and Saturdays?

With candid stories from their own pasts, Ruby and Susan unpack how quickly “reward drinks” can spiral into exhaustion, poor sleep, anxiety, and a cycle of feeling less present in your own life. They break down myths around moderation, share eye-opening health stats, and explore why so many women underestimate just how much alcohol they’re consuming.

If you’ve ever told yourself, “It’s fine because I don’t drink during the week,” this conversation is for you. Tune in for a reality check full of compassion, practical tools, and an empowering invitation to try an alcohol-free weekend, and discover how good it feels to wake up clear, confident, and lit from within.

Grab our free alcohol free weekend guide and give it a try!

We Love Hearing From You

Take the "Worried About Your Drinking" quiz:
https://coachingwithruby.com/quiz

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Host:
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching
Website: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/
Email Ruby: [email protected]
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
🧡 I invite you to book a clarity call with me and let's chat: https://calendly.com/williams-ruby/discovery-call

Looking for Susan's new podcast?
Drink Less With Susan Podcast: https://drinklesswithsusan.buzzsprout.com/

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological adv...

How do I help someone I love who’s struggling with addiction—without ultimatums, power struggles, or losing myself in the process?

We’re joined by the incredible Amber Hollingsworth—licensed professional counselor, master addiction counselor, and creator of the viral YouTube channel “Put the Shovel Down.” Drawing from her 20+ years of experience and her own journey growing up in an addicted family, Amber reveals how families can outsmart addiction with empathy, boundaries, and strategy—not “tough love.”

Together, we’ll dive into:

• Why the classic “let them hit rock bottom” approach often backfires
• How to shift from the “bad guy” role to being a powerful, positive influence
• Amber’s Invisible Intervention method that empowers families while preserving connection

If you’ve been searching for a way to support a loved one through addiction—and take care of yourself at the same time—this conversation is full of practical tools, hope, and a completely new perspective on recovery.
______

For more insights, check out Amber’s free resource-rich YouTube channel "Put The Shovel Down" at https://www.youtube.com/@PutTheShovelDown

Amber's Website: familyrecoveryacademy.online

We Love Hearing From You

Take the "Worried About Your Drinking" quiz:
https://coachingwithruby.com/quiz

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Host:
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching
Website: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/
Email Ruby: [email protected]
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
🧡 I invite you to book a clarity call with me and let's chat: https://calendly.com/williams-ruby/discovery-call

Looking for Susan's new podcast?
Drink Less With Susan Podcast: https://drinklesswithsusan.buzzsprout.com/

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological adv...

You quit drinking, you’re feeling lit, and suddenly… real life crashes back in. Now what?

In this milestone 90th episode of Sober & Lit, Coaches Susan Larkin and Ruby Williams get radically honest about the messy, beautiful, non-linear reality of life after alcohol. Because yes—sobriety brings clarity, joy, and deep transformation… but it doesn’t come with a magic wand. What happens when the unicorns disappear and you’re still dealing with family tension, career pivots, sleep struggles, or your own inner critic?

Have you ever asked yourself, “Shouldn’t I be happier by now?”

Ruby and Susan pull back the curtain on their own post-alcohol journeys—sharing the tools, mindset shifts, and community support that helped them navigate everything from financial fear to burnout to unrealistic expectations of ‘wellness perfection.’ They explore emotional sobriety, building new emotional coping muscles, and the freedom that comes from being imperfect and empowered.

Whether you’re newly alcohol-free, sober-curious, or deep in your journey, this episode is a warm reminder: you’re not doing it wrong if life still feels hard sometimes. You’re just doing it human.

🧡 Tune in now to feel less alone, more resourced, and truly seen—and if this sounds like you... join and connect with our Feel Lit 4 Life community for the next chapter of your alcohol-free growth.
Find out more: https://feellitpodcast.com/Feel-Lit-For-Life

We Love Hearing From You

Take the "Worried About Your Drinking" quiz:
https://coachingwithruby.com/quiz

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Host:
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching
Website: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/
Email Ruby: [email protected]
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
🧡 I invite you to book a clarity call with me and let's chat: https://calendly.com/williams-ruby/discovery-call

Looking for Susan's new podcast?
Drink Less With Susan Podcast: https://drinklesswithsusan.buzzsprout.com/

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological adv...

What if ditching alcohol is the exact thing that sets your creative fire ablaze?

In this electrifying episode of Sober & Lit, Coaches Ruby and Susan sit down with actor, writer, and founder of Creative Sobriety, Kristen Bear—a powerhouse voice redefining what it means to be an alcohol-free woman in a world soaked in wine culture. From stage lights to mom life, Kristen shares how choosing sobriety in February 2020 became the radical act that set her free—from self-doubt, perfectionism, and societal expectations.

What happens when you stop numbing and start expressing?

This episode dives deep into how alcohol subtly silences women’s power—and how sobriety becomes the amplifier. Kristen opens up about how creativity, authenticity, and connection exploded once she put down the glass and picked up her voice. You’ll hear about her journey navigating the entertainment industry, parenting pressures, and the toxic normalization of drinking to cope.

We’re talking:

• Creative confidence in sobriety
• Busting the “mommy wine” myth
• Why Gen Z is ditching booze (and leading a sober revolution)
• How women in midlife are reclaiming joy and voice
• And why being alcohol-free is anything but boring

Whether you’re sober-curious or alcohol-free and fired up, this episode will inspire you to show up louder, bolder, and more lit than ever—without a single drop.

👉 Tune in now and find out what’s waiting for you on the other side of drinking. Spoiler: it’s not deprivation—it’s creative liberation.

To reach Kristen:
www.creativesobriety.co
Instagram
Creative Sobriety Podcast
Substack

We Love Hearing From You

Take the "Worried About Your Drinking" quiz:
https://coachingwithruby.com/quiz

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Host:
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching
Website: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/
Email Ruby: [email protected]
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
🧡 I invite you to book a clarity call with me and let's chat: https://calendly.com/williams-ruby/discovery-call

Looking for Susan's new podcast?
Drink Less With Susan Podcast: https://drinklesswithsusan.buzzsprout.com/

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological adv...

Are Sober People Missing Out… or Finally Tapping In?

Welcome to Sober & Lit! In this episode, Ruby and Susan bust one of the biggest lies about sobriety: that going alcohol-free means missing out on fun, freedom, and connection. Is it true—or have we just been sold a clever illusion?

What if the real fear isn’t missing out—but never fully showing up?
What if quitting drinking is the invitation to finally feel lit from within?

We unpack the FOMO myth, spill honest stories about navigating social events sober, and share how ditching the drink actually amplified joy, confidence, and community. We also explore how social media and drinking culture fuel comparison, and what happens when you flip FOMO into JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out.

Expect resources, real talk, and personal practices that light you up.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Will I lose my social life if I quit drinking?”—this episode is your empowering reframe. Spoiler: what you gain might just blow your mind.

🔥 Tune in and let’s get Sober & Lit!

We Love Hearing From You

Take the "Worried About Your Drinking" quiz:
https://coachingwithruby.com/quiz

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Host:
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching
Website: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/
Email Ruby: [email protected]
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
🧡 I invite you to book a clarity call with me and let's chat: https://calendly.com/williams-ruby/discovery-call

Looking for Susan's new podcast?
Drink Less With Susan Podcast: https://drinklesswithsusan.buzzsprout.com/

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological adv...